Dark clouds have appeared on Liverpool’s horizon of late, threatening the sense of calm restored to Anfield by Kenny Dalglish a year ago, but, to judge by the resolve with which they defended their lead last night, they will not be moved in their pursuit of a silver lining.

A dogged, determined performance put Dalglish’s team in control of this Carling Cup semi-final tie and, in doing so, heightened Roberto Mancini’s concerns that Manchester City might be flagging after a third defeat in their past five matches in all competitions.

Top of the Barclays Premier League they may be, but this first-leg defeat, courtesy of Steven Gerrard’s penalty in the thirteenth minute and Liverpool’s resolute defending thereafter, left their Carling Cup bid hanging by a…